Real, curated ideas for Boscastle: the harbour, the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, waterfalls, coast walks, pubs and cream teas — filtered by who's actually with you.
Boscastle is a tiny harbour village wedged into a steep valley where two rivers meet the sea, with a natural harbour whose walls were built in 1584 and now belong to the National Trust. Most people know it for two things: the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic by the harbour, and the flood of 16 August 2004, when a wall of water swept through the village and around 50 cars were washed out to sea, without a single death. Today it's a walkers' village: up to the lookout on Willapark, along the coast to Pentargon waterfall, inland through the Valency Valley to Thomas Hardy's church, or south past Rocky Valley and St Nectan's Glen to Tintagel.
Listings last checked: October 2026
Short answer: Our Boscastle guide lists 20 real places (2 beaches, 7 days out and 11 pubs, restaurants and cafés), each with its Google rating and a plain-English note on who it suits. The highest rated with 30+ reviews are Rocky Valley (4.8), Willapark Lookout (4.8) and Bossiney Cove (4.8). Parking, food and seasonal guides are linked below.
The highest rated days out in Boscastle on Google are Rocky Valley (4.8), Willapark Lookout (4.8) and Boscastle Harbour (National Trust) (4.7). The full list, with notes on who each suits, is on this page.
The highest rated places to eat in Boscastle on Google, with at least 30 reviews, are Bridge House Tea Room (4.8), Boscastle Farm Shop & Café (4.7) and Toby Jug Café (4.7).
18 of the 20 places in our Boscastle guide are marked dog friendly, including St Nectan's Glen, Boscastle Farm Shop & Café and The Cobweb Inn. Use the 'Dog with us' filter on this page to see them all.
We have a dedicated parking guide: St Nectan's Glen From Boscastle: Prices, Parking, Tips.
A sandy-at-low-tide cove four miles north between huge cliffs, with rock pools, a pub, cafés, toilets and a car park. Lifeguards in high summer; dogs banned 10am–6pm from 15 May to 30 September.
A secluded cove near Tintagel with sand at low tide, caves, rock pools and a waterfall. The path down is steep and there are no facilities, so it suits confident walkers.
The world-famous collection of witchcraft and folk magic by the harbour, over two floors. Adults £8, children £5. Open Easter to 31 October; closed in winter. No parking, toilets or lift; assistance dogs only.
The National Trust harbour, with walls built in 1584 by Sir Richard Grenville. Follow the river down past the shops, cross to the far side for the viewpoint and sunset, and use the NT shop and café.
The white lookout on the headland above the harbour, now a National Coastwatch station staffed by volunteers. A short, steep walk up for huge views; wear good shoes.
A 120ft waterfall dropping from a hanging valley straight into the sea, just north of Boscastle on the coast path. Best after rain; there are lots of steps if you go down to the bridge.
A woodland walk up the Valency Valley to a hidden church in the trees, with carved scissors on the tower nobody can explain. Thomas Hardy courted his first wife round here. Steep paths at the church end.
A 60ft waterfall in a wooded gorge, about a mile's walk from the Trethevy car park (£3 a day). Waterfall entry: adults £11, children £6. Muddy paths, stream crossing and steps; not for pushchairs.
A steep little valley of waterfalls and pools running to the sea, past ruined mills and two maze carvings in the rock of disputed age. Park in the layby by the mill; narrow, muddy paths.
A 350-year-old former warehouse and mill by the bridge, a pub since 1947: real ales, home-made food and live music on Saturdays. Ask for a table in the old bar.
A 16th-century pub at the top of the village, a steep walk up but worth it: homemade pies, haddock and chips and lots of gluten-free choice. Dogs welcome except in the restaurant.
A 16th-century coaching inn by the harbour with the Long Bar, a creative menu and a good Sunday lunch. Dog-friendly; quiz nights get busy.
A restaurant with rooms beside the river: homemade quiche, fish chowder at lunch and good-value dinners and Sunday roasts. Puppy-friendly staff.
A clifftop farm shop and café just above the village, with its own Ruby Red beef, big cream teas and sea views. Dogs outside only. A natural stop on the walk to Pentargon.
A quirky little café-bistro on the walk to the harbour: light quiches, toasties, scones and cakes, with a sunny courtyard. Dog-friendly; closed Sunday and Monday.
A tea room and B&B by the bridge doing warm homemade scones with little tubs of jam and cream, big sandwiches and a treat for the dog.
The breakfast spot on The Bridge: full English, bacon rolls, generous lunches and friendly staff who look after dogs. Open daily, 9:30am–3pm.
The NT café by the harbour, with river views if you get a seat: Kelly's ice cream, cakes, pasties and toasties. Dogs welcome inside.
Award-winning pasties (call ahead for gluten-free, which take 45 minutes), sausage rolls and cakes, with nationwide delivery from its own website. Open daily.
The pub behind the beach at Crackington Haven, with its own car park, bay views and good-value food ordered at the bar.